HO-HO-HONE YOUR SAFETY SKILLS
10 Tips for Holiday Decorating
There’s nothing quite like a big tree in your living room and bright lights on your roof to get in the holiday spirit. But every year, emergency rooms across the country see an increase in injuries caused by lax safety considerations while decorating. Follow these 10 tips for decorating safely so you can enjoy every moment of your holiday season. 1. Double-check all lights for frayed wires or cracked bulbs before plugging them into an outlet and make sure each socket contains a bulb. Discard any damaged strands. 2. When decorating outside, keep your ladders and decorations away from overhead power lines. Also, ensure the ladder is secure before climbing it and have someone hold it in place at the bottom. 3. Lights should have “UL” displayed clearly on their tags. This signifies they’ve been inspected by the Underwriters Laboratory
for safety hazards. A red UL means the lights are safe for indoor and outdoor use; green indicates indoor use only. 4. Never hammer tacks or nails into the electrical cord when hanging lights. Use clips to safely attach your lights to your house instead. 5. Only use extension cords outside if they’re specifically designated for outdoor use. Also, avoid overloading extension cords by using no more than three sets of lights per cord. 6. Any outdoor decorations, including lights and inflatable decor, should be plugged into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) to help prevent electric shock when touched. 7. Use a timer or set a daily reminder to turn off all lights before going to bed or leaving your home. Don’t leave your decorations turned on all night.
8. Any indoor lights should never touch curtains, furniture, or carpeting.
Also, keep all candles away from these flammable items.
9. If you use ornaments that plug into a bulb receptacle, check the manufacturer’s
directions for how many are safe to plug in to a single strand.
10. Place loose cords and decorations in low-traffic areas to prevent tripping.
By taking these simple steps, you’ll create peace of mind that allows you to focus more on your loved ones during the holidays. Just don’t forget to periodically check on your decorations to make sure everything looks as good as the day you put them up!
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FESTIVE APPLE CIDER
If you’re cutting back on calories, skip the eggnog and buttered rum this year and fill up your mug with this delicious mulled cider!
Ingredients • 1 lemon
• 2 tsp allspice berries • 1 inch fresh ginger, thinly sliced • 2 tbsp honey • 3 cinnamon sticks
• 1 gallon pure apple cider • 1 large orange, thinly sliced crosswise • 2 tsp whole cloves
Directions 1. Using a paring knife, shave the lemon peel off in curls. Reserve the curls and save the lemon for use in a different recipe. 2. In a large slow cooker, combine the lemon peel with all other ingredients. Cook on low for 3–4 hours. 3. If desired, use a sieve to strain the spices. Serve and enjoy!
CAROL CHEER COCOA FAMILY
GIFT HOLIDAY
SHOVEL SLEDDING SNOW TURQUOISE
HOLLY PEACE
Inspired by BoulderLocavore.com
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